Victoria in June 2012:

Dry, with frosty nights, in the north.

Above average rainfall, and cool days, in the south.

Summary

Bureau of Meteorology data show that across
the State of Victoria, overnight minimum temperatures were slightly cooler than
those usually experienced. Daytime
maximum temperatures at most localities were near to those registered in the
past. Total rainfall for the month
was generally slightly more than that usually recorded.

Over the northern plains, minimum temperatures
were cooler than those usually experienced (average departure from normal
-1.1°C). Daytime maximum temperatures at most localities were near to those
registered in the past (average departure from normal 0.2°C). Total rainfall for
the month was generally slightly less than that usually recorded (average percentage of normal received 73.5%).

In southern districts, minimum temperatures
were near to those usually experienced (average departure from normal 0°C).
Daytime maximum temperatures at most localities were very slightly below those registered in
the past (average departure from normal -0.4°C). Total rainfall for the month
was generally much more than that usually recorded (average
percentage of normal received 162%).

Synoptic and other drivers

During June 2012, there was a persistence of low pressure systems over the Tasman Sea, especially the north Tasman, and a persistence of high pressure systems to the south of the Australian continent. Between these two features, cool and moist southerly air flow was directed on to the Victorian coast. As a result, there was little moisture left for the northern plains - hence, the drier conditions there.

Climate indicators remain at neutral (neither El Niño nor La Niña)
levels, the tropical Pacific continues to slowly warm. Climate models surveyed
by the Bureau suggest this warming trend will continue over the coming months,
with the majority of the models indicating the tropical Pacific will approach or
possibly exceed El Niño thresholds by the end of winter. No climate models
favour a return to La Niña during the remainder of 2012.

Large parts of eastern Australia are usually, but not always, drier than
normal in winter and spring during El Niño events.

The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is currently neutral. The Bureau’s climate
model indicates a possibility of a weak positive IOD event developing during
winter or spring.

Details

In the Mallee, overnight minimum temperatures
were much cooler than those usually experienced (average departure from normal
-1.5°C). Daytime maximum temperatures at most localities were near to those
registered in the past (average departure from normal 0.2°C). Total rainfall for
the month was generally less than that usually recorded
(average percentage of normal received 53%).

In the Wimmera, overnight minimum temperatures
were cooler than those usually experienced (average departure from normal
-1.3°C). Daytime maximum temperatures at most localities were near to those
registered in the past (average departure from normal 0°C). Total rainfall for
the month was generally close to that usually recorded
(average percentage of normal received 92%).

In the Northern Country, overnight minimum
temperatures were slightly cooler than those usually experienced (average
departure from normal -0.8°C). Daytime maximum temperatures at most localities
were near to those registered in the past (average departure from normal 0.3°C).
Total rainfall for the month was generally close to that usually
recorded (average percentage of normal received 90.5%).

In Victoria's North Central District,
overnight minimum temperatures were near to those usually experienced (average
departure from normal -0.4°C). Daytime maximum temperatures at most localities
also were near to those registered in the past (average departure from normal 0.3°C).
Total rainfall for the month was generally close to that usually
recorded (average percentage of normal received 90.5%).

In the North East District, overnight minimum
temperatures were cooler than those usually experienced (average departure from
normal -1.3°C). Daytime maximum temperatures at most localities were near to
those registered in the past (average departure from normal 0.2°C). Total
rainfall for the month was generally less than that usually recorded (average percentage of normal received 52.3%).

In East Gippsland, overnight minimum
temperatures were near to those usually experienced (average departure from
normal 0.3°C). Daytime maximum temperatures at most localities were near to
those registered in the past (average departure from normal -0.1°C). Total
rainfall for the month was generally much more than that usually
recorded (average percentage of normal received 158.5%).

In West Gippsland, overnight minimum
temperatures were near to those usually experienced (average departure from
normal 0°C). Daytime maximum temperatures at most localities were slightly
cooler than those registered in the past (average departure from normal -0.5°C).
Total rainfall for the month was generally much more than that usually
recorded (average percentage of normal received 193%).

In the Central District, overnight minimum
temperatures were near to those usually experienced (average departure from
normal 0.1°C). Daytime maximum temperatures at most localities were near to
those registered in the past (average departure from normal -0.3°C). Total
rainfall for the month was generally much more than that usually
recorded (average percentage of normal received 168.3%).

In the Western District, overnight minimum
temperatures were near to those usually experienced (average departure from
normal -0.4°C). Daytime maximum temperatures at most localities were slightly
cooler than those registered in the past (average departure from normal -0.6°C).
Total rainfall for the month was generally slightly more than that
usually recorded (average percentage of normal received 125%).

Melbourne climate summary for the month of June 2012

Rainfall more than that usually
received.

Located in the Central District at the head of Port Phillip
Bay, Melbourne is Victoria's State Capital. Here, overnight minimum
temperatures were warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 8°C
(departure from normal 1.1°C). That the overnight temperatures in Melbourne are
higher than those in most surrounding localities is a consequence of the city
being under the influence of the effect of urbanisation (cities are usually
warmer than their rural surroundings, especially at night, because of heat
stored in bricks and concrete and trapped between close-packed buildings). Daytime maximum temperatures were near to those usually
experienced and averaged 14.4°C (departure from normal 0.3°C). Total rainfall for the month was 70.2 mm, this being
more than that usually recorded (normal 49.2 mm, percentage of normal
received 143%).

Selected Melbourne suburbs

In the suburb of Essendon, which is located some 15
kilometres to the northwest of the city centre, overnight minimum temperatures
were slightly warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 6.4°C
(departure from normal 0.5°C). Daytime maximum temperatures were near to those
usually experienced and averaged 13.7°C (departure from normal 0.0°C). Total
rainfall for the month was 53.2 mm, this being more than that usually
recorded (normal 39.0 mm, percentage of normal received 136%).

The suburb of Laverton is located some 30 kilometres to
the southwest of the city centre, and is often under the drying influence of the
rain shadow from the ranges of western Victoria. Here, overnight
minimum temperatures were slightly warmer than those usually experienced and
averaged 6.4°C (departure from normal 0.6°C). Daytime maximum temperatures were
slightly cooler than those usually experienced and averaged 13.7°C (departure
from normal -0.5°C). Total rainfall for the month was 69.2 mm, this
being much more than that usually recorded (normal 38.3 mm, percentage
of normal received 181%).

In the suburb of Bundoora, which is located some 20
kilometres to the northeast of the city centre, overnight minimum temperatures
were near to those usually experienced and averaged 6.2°C (departure from normal
0.1°C). Daytime maximum temperatures were slightly cooler than those usually
experienced and averaged 13.4°C (departure from normal -0.5°C). Total rainfall
for the month was 58.4 mm, this being close to that usually recorded (normal 55.3 mm, percentage of normal received 106%).

In the suburb of Moorabbin, which is located some 20
kilometres to the southeast of the city centre, overnight minimum temperatures
were near to those usually experienced and averaged 6.7°C (departure from normal
0°C). Daytime maximum temperatures were near to those usually experienced and
averaged 13.9°C (departure from normal -0.3°C). Total rainfall for the month
was 97.6 mm, this being much more than that usually recorded (normal 56.1 mm, percentage of normal received 174%).

Some 20 kilometres northwest of the Melbourne city centre, and
located in a somewhat rural setting, Melbourne Airport, is typical of the
Central District. Here, overnight minimum temperatures were near to those
usually experienced and averaged 5.9°C (departure from normal -0.3°C). Daytime
maximum temperatures were near to those usually experienced and averaged 13.4°C
(departure from normal -0.2°C). Total rainfall for the month thus far was 55.8
mm, this being more than that usually recorded (normal 37.8 mm,
percentage of normal received 148%).

Notes

A Monthly Climate Summary is prepared to list the main features of the weather in Victoria using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated. Later information, including data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review, usually published in the fourth week of the month.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at
10 am on Monday 2 July 2012.
Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change
as new information becomes available.

Averages are long-term means based on observations from
all available years of record, which vary widely from site to site.
They are not shown for sites with less than 10 years of record, as they cannot then be calculated reliably.
The median
is sometimes more representative than the
mean
of long-term average rain.

The Rank indicates how rainfall this time compares with the climate record for the site,
based on the
decile ranking
(very low rainfall is in decile 1, low in decile 2 or 3,
average in decile 4 to 7, high in decile 8 or 9
and very high is in decile 10).
The Fraction of average shows how much rain has fallen this time as a
percentage of the long-term mean.